If anyone is slightly confused about the differences between MoCA and DECA, they may sound like they’re different but in reality they are the same standard. MoCA stands for Multimedia over Coax Alliance which maintains the standards for MoCA coax networking. MoCA has specified 2 frequency bands at which the network can be operated: High-RF MoCA for Cable MSOs and Verizon FiOS from 850-1500 MHz, and Mid-RF MoCA for DirecTV from 500-850 MHz. Our more advanced readers may recognize that cable TV broadcasts below 850 MHz on the coax and satellite TV broadcasts above 950 MHz, hence the need for MoCA to avoid interfering with current signals on the line and 2 separate RF bands. Both versions of MoCA are being deployed primarily to enable the Multi-Room DVR feature available from all the major Pay TV providers.
So what is DECA? DECA stands for DirecTV Ethernet-to-Coax Adapter, a simple network bridge with an Ethernet port on one side and coax on the other, and operates at Mid-RF MoCA frequencies. The DECA is used mainly to connect legacy (older) DirecTV DVRs to Whole Home DVR service but is also being used by some consumers to connect Xbox’s, Bluray Players, Internet TVs, etc… to the Internet (also requires a DECA at the broadband router). Some folks are incorrectly using the term DECA to mean Mid-RF MoCA (which is technically incorrect, but perfectly understandable since it SOUNDS like MoCA).
The DECA’s counterpart for High-RF is called the MoCA ECB which stands for Ethernet-To-Coax Bridge. The ECB serves the same function for Cable MSOs and Verizon FiOS as a way to allow Ethernet onto the coax cable. One of the advantages of an ECB is that the same ECB, currently available from NETGEAR, D-LINK, or Actiontec, can be used with any Cable TV or Verizon FiOS service. Today, DECAs only work in DirecTV households and are not compatible with ECBs.
In summary, Cable and FiOS use High-RF MoCA which supports ECBs to convert between Ethernet and coax. DirecTV uses Mid-RF MoCA which supports DECAs to convert between Ethernet and coax. When will we have a single Ethernet-to-Coax bridge that is compatible with all MoCA bands? What will DISH Network use? Stay tuned to MoCABlog.net for the latest MoCA networking news and information.
August 2, 2010 at 5:57 pm poidawg
Motorola just announced that Cincinnati Bell has deployed its multi-room DVR platform to its subscribers. Motorola’s whole-home DVR platform uses a media software application running on a combination of up to eight DVR and non-DVR DCX all-digital high-definition set-top boxes. MoCA home networking allows viewing of TV content on any DVR from any room in the house, including bookmarking features which enable users to stop a show in one room and resume watching from the same point in another room.
To read the article click here
July 31, 2010 at 8:13 am Smart Phone Dojo
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iVo has confirmed a new client box for whole-home DVR for MSOs, possibly with Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) technology. TiVo will be developing a client box for MSOs, but they have not elaborated on specifics, such as how many TVs and other devices would be supported by the new multi-room product. TiVo is considering a “couple of choices” when it comes to the home networking technology for the multi-room DVR. “We think MoCA will be a very popular answer for many operators,” a TiVo Sr. VP says, noting that it would be “easy” to modify the TiVo Premiere box for MoCA networking.
To read the article click here
July 22, 2010 at 4:54 pm Smart Phone Dojo
